Peach tree named &#39;FLATBEAUTI&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of flat white peach tree, denominated ‘FLATBEAUTI’, has a large flat fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright red skin color on an orange red ground. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2010/0508 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus persica L. Batsch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘FLATBEAUTI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whiteflat peach tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given thevariety denomination ‘FLATBEAUTI’. This new tree produces fruit with along shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growthcompletion and after harvesting, large fruit with very good eatingquality, flesh fruit for fresh market in mid July in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘FLATPRETTY’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) flat white peach tree, standard variety,for reliable description. ‘FLATBEAUTI’ is a promising candidate forcommercial success in that it has a semi-late period flowering, fruitwith very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so avery durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘FLATBEAUTI’ peach tree originated in a cultivated area of the south ofFrance, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested. Themale parent is ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) flat whitepeach tree, very productive, with a very attractive fruit of pink redblush color on a pink cream ground color. The female parent‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) is a white nectarine tree,very productive, with very attractive and very large fruit. ‘FLATPRETTY’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) variety was obtained by open-pollination of‘MAILLARFLAT’ (SweetCap®, non-patented). It blooms in March in the Southof France. More particularly, it blooms 2 days before ‘MAILLARFLAT’(SweetCap®, non-patented), between the 9^(th) and the 15^(th) of March,and 3 days time long more. The first fruit of ‘FLATPRETTY’ ripens at theend of June and beginning of July, 30 days before ‘MAILLARFLAT’(SweetCap®, non-patented). More particularly, it approximately ripensbetween June 28^(th) and July 9th ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,579) results from an open pollinated cross of ‘MAILLARMAGIE’(Magique®) white nectarine tree that was used as the seed parent. As‘MAILLARMAGIE’ (Magique®) nectarine tree has non-showy (campanulate)flowers, flowers blooming occur before pollen maturity.Cross-pollination with varieties in the vicinity of the mother-treeshould have occurred. Pollen parent is unknown. It blooms in early Marchin South of France, more particularly one day after ‘MAILLARMAGIE’(Magique®) variety, between March 3^(rd) and Mar. 15^(th). The firstfruit of ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) nectarine treeripens in July, more particularly about 3 to 4 days before the firstfruit of ‘MAILLARMAGIE’ (Magique®) variety, between July 3^(rd) and July13^(th). It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting. Ithas been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics makingit worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no knowneffects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexuallypropagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department,France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of flat white peach tree ‘FLATBEAUTI’blooms in early March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department,France. The flowering period is considered as semi-late in the South ofFrance. The first fruit of ‘FLATBEAUTI’ ripens in mid July, at the sameperiod than ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) variety. Moreparticularly it ripens between the 7^(th) of July and the 23^(rd) ofJuly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and size view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows three typical specimens of thefruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of thehalves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the newvariety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that depicts a close view of a typicalfruit of the ‘FLATBEAUTI’ variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that depicts a close view of typical leaveson tree.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘FLATBEAUTI’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread tosemi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwoodside away from sun. Flowering begins medium in springtime. The type offlower is showy, with medium to large petal size. Petals are mediumpink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity forconsumption is considered medium. The fruit flesh is white with a redpigmentation under the skin and in the stone cavity. Fruit skin is verythick, of bright red color on an orange red ground. The stone is ofsmall to medium size and the flesh is semi-adherent to adherent. Fruittaste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) the maturityperiod is approximately similar. The blooming time is also approximatelysimilar. The fruit is of a superior quality as far as presentation isconcerned. The fruit is of a homogenous bright red blush color. Thepistil end is well closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white peach tree, the following has been observedduring the third fruiting season under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in thePyrénées-Orientates department, France. All observations have been madeon rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree.All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. ColorChart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society ofGreat Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium to high as compared to other common commercial            peach cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50            meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80            meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and            next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters with            current seasons shots length comprised.        -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was            oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines            spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same            tree line.        -   Vigor.—Very vigorous. The present variety grew from about            60.0 centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the            first and following growing seasons. For second and            following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate            height of 2.50 meters.        -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Considered very regular. A thinning of 1 fruits on 3            was necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may not be            too important because of the high magnifying potential of            the fruit.        -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored            with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on            different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised            between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of            the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained            temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was            also resistant to frosty springtime weather. In a general            manner, the flat fruit varieties are more sensitive to            critical low temperatures and to climatic variations. This            is due to the ovule that is less protected than in the            classical round fruits. The implantation is recommended            where the peach tree is able to grow and more particularly            in the ones that have the less frosts.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.8 centimeters and 6.5            centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately            30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the third            growing season.        -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the            fourth growing season. The lenticels range in size from            approximately 0.2 centimeters in height and about 0.3 to 0.6            centimeters in width.        -   Lentical color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a            silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C-D), whereas the inside            surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C-D).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201 C            to RHS BLACK N 200 C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The            current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 9.0            millimeters, and branches of trees from the third growing            season have a diameter comprised between 18.0 and 23.0            millimeters.        -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is            several years old has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 millimeters to 30.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A-B).        -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips            is considered a pale yellow green (RHS GREEN 144 A-C) on            lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is            colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE GROUP            187 A-B to GREYED RED 182 A) following the position on the            shoot.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf            measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,            current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio            leaf length/leaf width is above 3.57.        -   Leaf length.—From 125.0 to 182.0 millimeters with leaf            petiole. Average length of 156.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—From 35.0 to 52.0 millimeters. Average width of            44.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal            axis.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Tip form.—Acuminate.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark green (RHS GREEN 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS GREEN 137 B-C) than the            upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light green with a yellow cream touch (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 145 C-D) and evolves with maturity.        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one            or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 10.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—About 1.0 to 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Light green to yellow on the upper surface (RHS GREEN            137 C) and yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B) on the            lower surface.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0            millimeter.        -   Number.—Generally 4, sometimes 2 to 4.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered pale            green (RHS GREEN 137 C). On older leaves, leaf glands color            turn to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A-B).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of            purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-D to GREY BROWN            GROUP 199 A); the corolla formed by petals, is generally of            medium pink color (RHS RED PURPLE 65 A-C). Petals color            shows an evolution until the end of blooming.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,            with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The            current variety has not been intentionally subjected to            drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good            resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an            average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks            in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—Generally from late February to beginning of            March. The first bloom was observed on Feb. 26, 2005. Second            to fifth blooms took place respectively on Feb. 24, 2006,            Feb. 26, 2008, Mar. 4, 2009 and Mar. 17, 2010.        -   Blooming time.—Considered semi-late in relative comparison            to other commercial peach cultivars grown in the            Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The date of full            bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period. The            date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and            cultural practices.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 to 10 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at            full bloom is approximately 33.0 to 40.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 45            flowers per meter.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.-   Petal:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.        -   Length.—Generally about 19.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally about 18.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth and soft.        -   Petal color.—Medium pink (RHS RED PURPLE 65 A-C) when young,            slightly darkening with advancing senescence.        -   Fragrance.—Soft.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a            slightly rounded tip.        -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 7.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulating.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally complete at the            tip and round.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average            length of approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Brown to light brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C-D).-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—The inner surface of the calyx is considered of            washed-green yellow (RHS YELLOW 13 A-B to YELLOW GREEN 150            A-B) color. The outer surface is purple brown (RHS GREYED            PURPLE 183 A-D).-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent            texture.        -   Size.—Medium. Ovoid shape.        -   Color.—Flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-B).        -   Stamens per flower.—Average 40 stamens per flower.-   Anthers:    -   -   Length.—Medium.        -   Color.—Yellow orange red color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 16 A-B).            Anthers are becoming brown (RHS GREYED RED 178 A) at            maturity. The color evolves with flowering.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow            color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B-C). The present variety is            auto-fertile (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 9.0 to 16.0            millimeters in length.        -   Color.—Considered pale pink (RHS RED PURPLE 62 C-D to RED            PURPLE 73 A-B). The color is evolving with flowering.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Length.—Approximately from 12.0 to 15.0 millimeters            including the ovary.        -   Color.—Considered very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D to            RHS YELLOW GREEN 151 D). The color is evolving with            flowering.        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.-   Fruits:    -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 15, 2010, exceptionally late due            to climatic conditions in winter 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 23, 2010, exceptionally late due            to climatic conditions in winter 2010. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Ripening period.—Approximately 8 to 10 days.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large, with a homogeneous size between            them.        -   Average cheek diameter.—From 60.0 to 70.0 millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—From 30.0 millimeters 40.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Approximately 120.0 to 170.0 grams. This            characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round and oblate. The fruit is generally uniform            in symmetry, viewed from pistil end. Low dented.        -   Fruit suture.—Very shallow, extending from the base to the            apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the            suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the blush fruit            color, a bright red (RHS RED 47 A-B to RHS GREYED PURPLE 187            B-C) on an orange red ground (RHS YELLOW GROUP 10 C-D).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—In slight dip.        -   Base.—Semi-flared and shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 5.0            millimeters. Average width is about 12.0 millimeters.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious            to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a homogenous bright red            (RHS RED 47 A-B to RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 B-C). The red blush            covers 85% to 90% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage            of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is            generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under            which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color is orange red (RHS YELLOW            GROUP 10 C-D) on 10% to 15% of the fruit on the peduncle            side. The percentage of the ground color of the fruit skin            surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the            prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 5.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 5.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A-B).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenous, slow, very evenly.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious, and juicy            at harvesting maturity stage.        -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, sweet and aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally            superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised between 6            and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy and            aromatic.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic varies            slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing            cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS GREEN WHITE 157 D) usually            with a red pigmentation (RHS RED 53 B-C) under the skin on            the apex side and in the stone cavity. Some pigmentation            points of a red color in the fruit flesh can be observed.-   Stone:    -   -   Stone cavity.—Medium, with an ovoid form and dimensions            corresponding to the stone's dimensions.        -   Size.—Considered small to medium for the variety. The stone            size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,            crop load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—From 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—From 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—From 12.0 to 13.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Oblate, semi-round.        -   Base.—Flat to round shape.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—Oblate with a slight ridge.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of            approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is orange brown (RHS            GREYED ORANGE 174 C-D to GREYED ORANGE 173 C-D) with some            zones of light brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 176 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Small, round and oblate.        -   Length.—About 9.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 9.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—About 8.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered oblate and round.        -   Pellicle.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE            164 A to GREYED ORANGE N170 A). The almond is cream-white            (RHS WHITE 155 B). The kernel and its embryo are mature at            the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘FLATBEAUTI’ is considered to be a            flat white peach tree of the medium season of maturity, and            which produces fruits that are considered large, firm, and            attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked            consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh            quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than            one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well            more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They            have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the            tree after growth completion and after harvesting without            alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            flat peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or            skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at            2° degree Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is low            sensitive to powdery mildew, and low sensitive to            conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong            skin.-   Although the new variety of flat peach tree possesses the described    characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions    prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it    should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and    characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,    fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management    are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct flat white peach tree variety as illustrated and described, characterized by a large flat fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright red skin color on an orange red ground. 